Gastrointestinal implants

Abstract

A device for inducing weight loss in a patient includes a tubular prosthesis positionable at the gastro-esophageal junction region, preferably below the z-line. In a method for inducing weight loss, the prosthesis is placed such that an opening at its proximal end receives masticated food from the esophagus, and such that the masticated food passes through the pouch and into the stomach via an opening in its distal end.

We claim: 
     
       1. An implant for a patient having an esophagus and a stomach, the implant comprising:
 a prosthesis having a side wall, a proximal opening and a distal opening, wherein the side wall extends between the proximal opening and the distal opening; and 
 a plurality of apertures in the side wall distal to the proximal opening, 
 wherein the apertures are normally open and are separate from the proximal and distal openings, 
 wherein the prosthesis is configured such that food from the esophagus passes through the prosthesis into the gastrointestinal tract distal to the esophagus, and 
 wherein at least a portion of the prosthesis at the proximal opening is self-expandable from a collapsed position to an expanded position. 
 
     
     
       2. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal opening has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the distal opening. 
     
     
       3. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the prosthesis has an approximate funnel shape. 
     
     
       4. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures of the prosthesis are configured to receive sutures. 
     
     
       5. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the prosthesis is formed of a flexible material. 
     
     
       6. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the prosthesis is formed of a polymeric material. 
     
     
       7. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein each of the proximal opening and the distal opening is circular. 
     
     
       8. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal opening is at a proximal end of the prosthesis, and the distal opening is at a distal end of the prosthesis, and wherein a first portion of the side wall tapers from a first diameter at the proximal end to a second diameter at a second location, the second location being located between the proximal end and the distal end. 
     
     
       9. The implant of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of apertures are located on the first portion of the side wall. 
     
     
       10. The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the distal opening is normally open. 
     
     
       11. An implant for a patient having an esophagus, a stomach, and a gastro-esophageal junction, comprising:
 a prosthesis configured to be positioned proximate the gastro-esophageal junction, the prosthesis including:
 a proximal end having a proximal opening and a distal end having a distal opening, wherein the proximal opening is larger than the distal opening, and a diameter of an outer surface of the prosthesis tapers from the proximal end to a second location located between the proximal end and the distal end; and 
 a plurality of apertures through the outer surface proximate the proximal end of the prosthesis, each of the apertures being transverse to the proximal opening, 
 
 wherein at least a portion of the prosthesis at the proximal end is self-expandable from a collapsed position to an expanded position. 
 
     
     
       12. The implant of  claim 11 , wherein each of the proximal opening and the distal opening is circular. 
     
     
       13. The implant of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of apertures are located between the proximal end and the second location of the prosthesis. 
     
     
       14. The implant of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of apertures are at a same axial position on the prosthesis. 
     
     
       15. The implant of  claim 11 , further including one or more sutures. 
     
     
       16. The implant of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of apertures are configured to receive the one or more sutures. 
     
     
       17. The implant of  claim 11 , wherein an outer circumference of the prosthesis at the proximal end is positioned radially outward of the plurality of apertures. 
     
     
       18. An implant for a patient having an esophagus, a stomach, and a gastro-esophageal junction, comprising:
 a prosthesis configured to be attached proximate the gastro-esophageal junction, the prosthesis including:
 a proximal end with a proximal opening; 
 a distal end with a distal opening, wherein the proximal opening is larger than the distal opening; 
 a side wall extending between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein a first portion of the side wall tapers from a first diameter at the proximal end to a second diameter at a second location, the second location being located between the proximal end and the distal end; and 
 a plurality of apertures positioned on the first portion of the side wall; 
 wherein at least a portion of the prosthesis at the proximal end is self-expandable from a collapsed position to an expanded position; and 
 
 one or more sutures, wherein the plurality of apertures of the prosthesis are configured to receive the one or more sutures to attach the prosthesis to the gastro-esophageal junction such that the proximal end of the prosthesis is positioned in the gastro-esophageal junction and the distal end of the prosthesis is positioned in the stomach. 
 
     
     
       19. The implant of  claim 18 , wherein an outer circumference of the prosthesis at the proximal end is positioned radially outward of the plurality of apertures. 
     
     
       20. The implant of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of apertures are at a same axial position on the prosthesis.